ADHD and Addiction

People who experience the symptoms of ADHD may struggle to deal with life’s daily challenges. Unfortunately, many will turn to drugs and alcohol to help themselves cope. This is especially true among people whose ADHD has not been previously diagnosed, or who never received treatment despite their diagnosis.

Integrated residential dual diagnosis recovery programs are fully customized to meet the individual needs of everyone.

If your difficulties with ADHD have led you to drug or alcohol abuse, please realize that you are not alone. Men and women with ADHD are three times as likely to encounter substance abuse issues as those who do not have this disorder. Among those who never received treatment for ADHD, whether diagnosed or not, about half will struggle with drug or alcohol abuse at some point in their lives.

There are several reasons why people with ADHD may end up misusing drugs or alcohol. These substances may offer temporary relief from the emotional, psychological, or behavioral symptoms associated with this neurodevelopmental disorder. Men and women with ADHD sometimes develop other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety disorders, and they may use drugs or alcohol to help reduce the intensity of their troubling symptoms. Or, they may turn to substance use as a way to escape from the difficulties that often accompany ADHD.

Regardless of your reason for using drugs or alcohol, when you become addicted, it will only make your situation worse. When you develop a substance use disorder, your health will deteriorate and your ADHD will gradually become even more debilitating. True recovery will remain elusive, unless you address both conditions in treatment.

The link between ADHD and alcoholism is clear. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, making it attractive to those who are looking to quiet active minds and racing thoughts, or cope with the stress that ADHD brings into their lives. Alcohol abuse issues can develop quickly in those seeking an escape from troubling mental health symptoms, and the impulsive decision making of people with ADHD can make it difficult for them to control their drinking once it escalates.

The effects of alcohol on ADHD are often initially positive, helping induce a sense of calm and relaxation. But as dependency develops, more and more alcohol is needed to experience the same feelings. Seeking treatment at a world-class alcohol rehab can help.

Many people who do develop addiction usually start using drugs and alcohol during their teen years. In search of lasting relief from ADHD symptoms they can’t control and don’t understand, teens and young adults may experiment with a wide variety of illicit and potentially addictive substances. The abuse may start with alcohol and cannabis but escalate into prescription drug abuse, cocaine or methamphetamine use, and ultimately into a dangerous mixture of substances that dramatically heightens the chances of addiction.

If your ADHD has led you into drug addiction, you need to find help as quickly as possible. You can overcome your substance use disorder with the assistance of a qualified drug rehab center, and at the same time receive the best in evidence-based medical care for your ADHD symptoms.

Research suggests that ADHD is a risk factor for chronic pain. Opiate painkillers are frequently prescribed for this type of pain, and when men and women with ADHD take opiates they must be careful not to exceed recommended doses.

In addition to reducing pain, prescription opiates also cause feelings of euphoria that people struggling with the symptoms of ADHD may find attractive. This may provoke compulsive use of opiates, and because these drugs are so addictive, excessive consumption is always highly risky.

Anyone diagnosed with co-occurring ADHD and opiate addiction will need comprehensive opiate addiction treatment to recover their health and freedom. This is true for those whose abuse opiate medications and for those whose opiate abuse includes the consumption of heroin. Opiates are never safe if misused, and if you’ve been doing that you will need help, preferably right away.

People with ADHD can become stressed and overwhelmed from the challenges of dealing with their symptoms every day. In order to relax and improve their focus, some choose to self-medicate with cannabis. The drug improves their mood and its reputation for being non-addictive leads users to believe it’s safe.

While cannabis isn’t as addictive as other drugs, you can develop an unhealthy psychological dependency on it if you use it regularly. One study of people diagnosed with cannabis addiction found that more than one third exhibited the symptoms of ADHD. Impulsive behavior is a side effect of ADHD, and compulsive cannabis use might become a problem if you use the drug as a replacement for approved medications and therapy.

ADHD and weed addiction can be a potent combination. Integrated residential treatment for marijuana can help.

Stimulants are the preferred form of medication for ADHD. These drugs help calm active minds and bodies in people who have ADHD, and are effective for up to 80 percent of patients who take them.

Adderall is one of the most popular prescription medications for ADHD. While it is safe and effective at medically recommended doses, Adderall can be addictive if abused. Some who take this drug become so enamored of its positive effects that they ignore their doctor’s orders and take more Adderall than advised. This behavior can lead to Adderall addiction, leaving you at the mercy of a medication that was once your lifeline.

You can conceivably become addicted to any stimulant taken for ADHD, such as Concerta or Ritalin, if your consumption escalates beyond safe levels. If your need for Adderall or similar drugs has developed into an obsession, and you’ve lost your ability to control your behavior, you need to take action quickly and find a quality integrated treatment for Adderall addiction.

Treatment for Adderall addiction and ADHD has a good rate of success and can offer you hope for a full and lasting recovery.

Co-occurring substance use disorders and ADHD can be challenging to overcome. But integrated treatment programs that address both conditions at the same time, with compassionate, expert assistance from those who understand the nature of your struggles, can make a profound difference in your life. This is exactly the type of healthcare services you will receive at Alta Mira, where customized treatment plans are our specialty.

Your time in residential rehab will begin with medical detox, which will help you gain control over your addictive behavior before you begin treatment. If you’ve been taking stimulant medications like Ritalin or Adderall for your ADHD, your use of these drugs will be carefully monitored to ensure your health is protected.

Your formal treatment program will offer comprehensive services based on evidence-based medicine. Individual, group, and family therapy will all be included, letting you build a network of vital support and encouragement as you work through your issues and explore the underlying reasons for your substance abuse troubles.

In addition to regular therapy, you’ll have access to a range of complementary healing methodologies and self-improvement instruction. This may include holistic healing practices, life skills and nutrition classes, relapse prevention courses, and services specifically designed to enhance your capacity to manage your ADHD symptoms safely and consistently.

Residential treatment programs are highly recommended for people with co-occurring substance use disorders and ADHD. In a safe, controlled environment, you’ll be able to concentrate completely on your healing process, without distraction or temptations to relapse.

Substance abuse and ADHD have put your future at risk. At Alta Mira, we specialize in helping our clients overcome their greatest medical and personal challenges, giving them the strength, knowledge and motivation to embrace sobriety and commit themselves to making every day count.

Your determination to recover from your co-occurring addiction and ADHD will empower you, and our customized dual diagnosis treatment programs will show you how to translate your intentions into effective healing actions.